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Hey my friends,
Take a minute and read this okay? The Web is certainly a great way to discover what's out there. But all that glitters is not gold, as the saying goes. Being smart online is not only a good idea, it can literally keep you out of danger and even save your life. I'm sharing this stuff with you here because I care about you and want you to remain safe.

The list below are things you should be aware of. At the bottom of the page I have included additional safety info that you can find online.

When Using MySpace
When using chat rooms

1. Remember, what you put online, with words and pics, can and will be seen by thousands. And not of these viewers will be nice people, period.
    
2. Remember, “If you’re not selling it, don’t advertise it.” Got that? You know what I mean, right? Good. If you’re sharing pics online, think about the implied message you are conveying with your images. If you wouldn’t want your parents or aunt or niece to see your online pics, why are you sending them at all? 
    
3. So some fine guy surfs in out-of-the-blue and you starting chatting. He’s cool, you’re cool, and after awhile you both share more stuff about one another. You see his pics and he’s gorgeous. He says he’s 18, seems to know one or two of your friends and wants to meet you. He wants to call you and asks for your number. Ask yourself these three questions: 1; If he’s so hot and good-looking, how come he’s surfing the Web to make new friends? 2; How do you know he’s really 18 and not a 45 year old sexual predator? Hello? How come he always seems to be online when you are… always?
4. Simple rule: Talk to your friends online, not total strangers. If unknowns surf in, delete and block, period. Sure, there are safer ways to meet people online, see #9 below.
    
5. If you give people you meet online your email address, your cell or home number, not to mention your address… even your street name, you have placed yourself at enormous risk. So don’t do it, period.
    
6. If someone you meet online threatens you, starts sex talk with you or otherwise creeps you out, delete/block them. Then tell a parent, the police or other adult who can and will take immediate action. You can also contact me, Kevin, for help with this.
    
7. If you use MySpace, then heed the following: Never post your real name on your profile; never post your cell or home phone numbers; never post your address; never, no matter how much you trust your friends, give them your MySpace Passcode. (This should be a no-brainer… but some do and later regret it!) More on MySpace
    
8. If you use AIM, Myspace or whatever, think about this: Have you ever been to a large city? When you’re there, do you talk to everyone you see? No. Do you pass out slips of paper with your personal info on it to strangers? Of course not. And you know why. Think of your online world as a giant city and use caution.
    
9. A safer way to meet new people online is through interests, connections and hobbies that you initiate from the start, not the other way around.
    
10. I never encourage teens that I care about to meet people they’ve met online face to face. But if you do, and nothing seems sketchy, always take a friend along with you and meet in a very public place. Once there, keep your old friend with you, and never, ever, agree to leave that public place with the person you’ve just met for some undisclosed location. That would be dangerous.

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